Health is one of my favorite topics and something I’m asked about daily.

When my health’s off, or I’m overeating or going out too much, I just don’t feel as good about myself. I’m not as inspired or productive.

I’m not suggesting to deprive yourself or not enjoy quality connections. In fact, I encourage you not to deprive yourself at all.

You may be wondering, how can you not have sugar AND not be depriving yourself?

This is a super valid question.

Four KEYS:

1. Reframing.

A lot of times when we’re used to celebrating, or rewarding ourselves for a job well done or making it through a long work day, we’re in the habit of making some choices that don’t quite support our highest self.

I’m not saying this because of things that are so-called “good” or “bad” for you. But you know the feeling when you wake up tired, sluggish and puffy and not exactly jumping out of bed to be productive. This isn’t our most radiant self that we want to project in the world. Aside from the fact we’ve all heard and can feel the effects of highly processed and sugary foods and alcohol.

I wan’t you to feel empowered for you. So that means having the tools to decide for you when you want to engage and enjoy, and when you want to look ahead. (More about this in the video below) 

For now, I’m saying, let’s totally focus on what may be possible for how we’ll feel with a new choice.

I remember when my dad used to celebrate with wine and big steak dinners after closing a deal. He thought, and had trained himself, that this is ok because of all his hard work. He had earned it.

Now, it’s not that he hadn’t earned it in terms of he’s less than and needs to deprive himself. However, there’s an opportunity for a reframe here that can be life-changing.

What if, we earn the right to allow our body to feel good and be in it’s peak state?

What if celebrating at work, or a birthday or in relationships was a celebration of energy and fueling what’s most inspiring to us instead.

What if when we have a something to celebrate in our life, we have a self-care ritual?

What could be possible for you with this perspective?

The result for my dad became going on a retreat, having his partners over to celebrate with high quality and highly nutritious foods with incredible sugar free, raw and vegan desserts.

The impact was he lost over 30 pounds, inspired dozens of people in his office and around him, as well as helped keep me and others in our family on a journey to improve our health together.

This all began with a simple reframe of what it means to celebrate.

Ask yourself, what’s it for you that you feel like you deserve? Look under your hood or your habits and uncover some key triggers for yourself, so you can have even more clarity, inspiration, vitality and freedom in your life.

2. Choosing Alternatives.

I’m a huge fan of food. I love lots of variety and trying tons of new things. And while, I’m not a fan of fake processed meats trying to be something they’re not or the junk vegan and gluten free food out there.

I am a huge believer in you don’t have to feel like you’re giving anything up when you find high quality replacements.

I use lots of green, superfoods, veggies, seasonings and can make or buy almost anything I remember from my childhood or the past.

And, the part I love most is, I still feel energized and clear after I eat these other options as well. You can check out some health books and products here.

Also, support your body with quality foods. We can create some consistency in our eating schedule and not eat late at night. Some of these things help stabilize our mood and energy as well.

The more good stuff we add in and fill up with, the less of the processed stuff we’ll want. Also, it’s only when we’re used to it that it tastes good. After a cleanse, sometimes I even just eat a salad with a heavy dressing and I have one bite and can taste the chemicals. Why get our system used to that again after clearing out?

3. Plan Ahead

For the most part, we can plan ahead and create a system for staying on track. Then, in the times where we aren’t as prepared, it’s ok because it’s not the norm and our body can adjust.

Physically some simple things for me are: 

Buying a bag of sprouted walnuts, avocados teas, fruit and celery each week. Easy things to cut up and take on the go. looking at my calendar and creating a little plan.

Seeing if I have any later dinners planned, where a business lunch is located and checking out the menu if I want to eat there, or make sure to have something before I go as well. If I’m traveling, making time to get to a Whole Foods or local market when I land so I’m set up.

I always fill up a few water bottles when I’m out and about in glass bottles I can leave in the car. I used to take one and then I’d have 5 or 6 hours left of running around and only have more water if I had time and stopped somewhere. And, then it was usually a smaller plastic bottle. While this may happen once in awhile, it doesn’t need to be your norm.

Emotional Plan:

Build an awareness of what your triggers are and plan for those.

We all have some unique patterns that send us down the path of eating whatever’s in front of us and zoning out of our body.

I invite you to come back to your body and make a conscious choice.

Again, I’m not saying don’t ever eat sugar or have a glass of wine or a slice of pizza. I am encouraging you not to just do it out of a habit and then feel guilty and sluggish afterwards. I find that when I consciously choose to have something, I don’t have the same energy drop. It’s also because my body can process it when it’s not stuffed up with so much other stuff.

Even though I can away with some things, I will say I feel it pretty quickly. So keep tuning in and the more often you do this, you’ll have even more choice. Then tune in an hour later, that evening and the next morning. If this is new to you, keep a journal so you can look back how you actually felt. How were your energy levels?

Over time, we want the high quality stuff more and more.

And, I choose when I want to have something and check-in with myself first.

Here are some questions I ask myself:

• Is there something I’m not  wanting to feel right now?
• Is this a loving choice I can make?
• What is the most supportive, loving and vital choice I can make in my body right now? 

 

And, remember it’s ok to have to learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is something I’ve build over a decade, so we all start somewhere. 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never gone to the gym and afterwards said, “I totally regret going.” Or eaten a quality healthy meal and said, “I wish I was stuffed and sluggish right now instead.” Have you? 

You always have choice. You are the one choosing what fuels you in this moment. Sometimes, it will be the ice cream or pasta. And, most of the time an alternative version will be even more satisfying.

4. Meditation 

The greatest tool I know of for clearing out and being able to consistently make new choices is meditation. Below is a Kundalini Meditation for Breaking Addictions.

What is it about this meditation that’s so special?

The pressure exerted by the thumbs in this meditation triggers a rhythmic reflex current into the central brain. This current activates the brain area directly underneath the stem of the pineal gland. It’s an imbalance in this area that makes mental and physical addictions seemingly unbreakable.

Once the pineal gland has started secreting, it will give you radiance and will begin to free you from old patterns.

The more we sit in stillness and build our awareness after meditation, as well, the greater the impact as well.

Posture: Sit in an Easy Pose

Mudra: Make fists of both hands and extend the thumbs straight. Place the thumbs on the temples and find the niche where the thumbs just fit.

Jaw: Lock the back molars together and keep the lips closed. Keeping the teeth pressed together throughout, alternately squeeze the molars tightly and then release the pressure. A muscle will move in rhythm under the thumbs. Feel it massage the thumbs and apply a firm pressure with the hands.

Eyes: Keep the eyes closed and focus at the Brow Point.

Mantra: Silently vibrate the five primal sounds, SaTaNaMa, while focusing at the brow point.

Time: Continue for 5-31 minutes.

(If you’d like some one-on-one support with this or something else, I’m available.)

Please feel free to revisit this meditation as often as you need. I did it for 40 days in a row and I definitely felt a meaningful impact and gained consistency from that. Here’s a link to products I mention in the video.

If you have any questions or comments or topics you’d like me to cover, please comment below or contact me here. 

Thanks for being here and valuing your health. 

xx,

Laurin